A critical review of Pacific salmon marine research relating to climate

Several studies in the North Pacific Ocean have documented the consequences of rising sea surface temperatures and the advancement of the spring freshet on ocean productivity. The altering of ocean productivity has also been correlated with changes in the marine survival and geographic occurrence of some Pacific salmon populations. Knowledge of the marine survival and position of salmon in the Pacific Ocean are derived typically from mark-recapture studies. As a result, the migratory behaviour and associated survival estimates of salmon in real time are not known. Major information gaps also exist in terms of stock-specific marine behaviour and survival-especially as they relate to recent changes in climate. Acoustic telemetry and other modern tools enable researchers to answer specific questions about environmental, physiological, and genetic effects on individual salmon survival and behaviour, which had not been possible previously. As climate trends increasingly exceed those found in historical records, there is an urgent need for information that will improve fishery management and conservation decisions. International, multidisciplinary research teams using modern technologies could accomplish this.